Tod Slaughter made a career of reviving Victorian Melodrama and he loved nothing more than to ham it up as the atrocious villain. Most of his career was spent on the stage, presenting classic thrillers of olden days, and a number of his favorites were produced as films. This is based on the play written by Charles Reade based on his highly influential novel It Is Never Too Late Too Mend. Reade, a contemporary of and somewhat outshone by Dickens, was a social novelist and his works dealt strongly with issues such as banking, unionism, feminism and, as here, prison reform. His novel and the resulting play were so hugely popular and influential that they brought about sweeping reforms in Britain's prison system. The abuses depicted are not imaginary, though they may be exaggerated. This is a brief trip back to the real Victorian era and is very much what an audience of that time might expect from a thrilling and morally uplifting tale.

"Reviewer: Kodachrome - - August 30, 2012
Subject: Not horrible
I generally don't enjoy period movies but I was bored and found this. Well made and played.

Had I been in the same situation, I would prefer the gallows to the prison. Killing a wicked 'Justice of the Peace' might well be worth the cost in that situation.

The mad laugh was a bit overplayed at the end, but 'Justice' was served. I do enjoy seeing the baddies enjoy their just deserts."

Oct 10,2012- Sounds like a great movie from your review here. Wish the movie played more than 4 minutes before it aborts due to corrupt file. Maybe somebody will see this and fix the problem. Hint, hint...

I generally don't enjoy period movies but I was bored and found this. Well made and played.

Had I been in the same situation, I would prefer the gallows to the prison. Killing a wicked 'Justice of the Peace' might well be worth the cost in that situation.

The mad laugh was a bit overplayed at the end, but 'Justice' was served. I do enjoy seeing the baddies enjoy their just deserts.